Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, has announced that the company plans to invest USD 3 billion in India over the next two years. This investment will focus on cloud and AI infrastructure, including the establishment of new datacenters.
The goal is to accelerate AI innovation in India, supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of curating a developed nation by 2047. Microsoft also aims to train 10 million people in AI skills over the next five years through its ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA program.
Nadella stated, “India is becoming a leader in AI innovation, and our investments in infrastructure and skilling reaffirm our commitment to making India AI-first.” Microsoft's responsible AI approach is based on six core principles: fairness, reliability, safety, privacy, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability. The company will expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in India to meet the demands of the growing AI startup and research community.
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Boosting AI and SaaS in India
Microsoft's ADVANTA(I)GE INDIA initiative aims to train 10 million Indians in essential AI skills by 2030. The company has already trained 2.4 million individuals, with a focus on inclusivity and reaching underserved communities. Moreover, the Microsoft Research Lab announced the launch of an AI Innovation Network to foster the AI ecosystem in India. The network will collaborate with digital natives to develop usable business solutions. Microsoft also signed an AI MoU with SaaSBoomi to support B2B startups in India, aiming to boost the AI and SaaS ecosystem and contribute to India's economy.
Microsoft is committed to supporting communities and advancing AI sustainably. The company is focusing on addressing the resources needed for the responsible growth of AI infrastructure. Microsoft is taking bold action to become carbon negative, water positive, zero waste, and protect more land than it uses by 2030. At the same time, Microsoft is empowering others with the technology necessary to create a more sustainable future.
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Digital Transformation Initiatives
Microsoft is actively contributing to local communities while driving global digital transformation. These efforts align with the company's global Datacenter Community Pledge, which recognizes its responsibility to be a good neighbor in India and other locations where Microsoft operates. For data centers, this means addressing the resources required to power AI, such as energy and water.
Recently, Microsoft announced that its new data centers will use zero water for cooling. The innovative design eliminates the need for water evaporation by recycling water through a closed-loop system. Microsoft has also secured renewable energy in India through long-term contracts with Amplus and ReNew, supporting its goal to be carbon-negative by 2030.
As part of the agreement with ReNew, around USD 15 million of revenue from the contract will go towards a community fund to support environmental justice initiatives. These initiatives focus on women's livelihoods, economic empowerment, energy access, rural electrification, environmental remediation, water quality improvement, and other issues affecting communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.
AI in India:
